Buying stone and setting from different places?

[JR3116]

Is it possible to buy the stone and setting from different online vendors? Then what do I do when I get them? What is the easiest way to get this done and have the stone set?

 

[Regular Guy]

JR...

There''s a saying...when you assume...you make an ass of U & Me...

So...not wanting to assume anything... where you say...

Date: 11/11/2007 11:12:28 PM
Author:JR3116
Is it possible to buy the stone and setting from different online vendors? Then what do I do when I get them? What is the easiest way to get this done and have the stone set?

by easiest...is there anything you''re explicitly concerned about?

Otherwise...the easiest way is to find a setter who''s great, that you like, give the pieces to them, and have them put it together.

I think.

 

[milton333]

A local jeweler, particularly one that does custom jewelry design, can set a stone in a setting for you. A fee will apply, usually depending upon the carat weight or points of the stone. Be aware, though, that many will require you to have proof of insurance on the stone before they''ll set it (and you may want to do that to protect yourself). Setting stones into settings purchased elsewhere is kind of a low priority for most jewelers, so if you don''t have a jeweler with whom you''ve done business before, you may find some resistance, or that there is a lengthy delay.

The stone is the most valuable part of the package. If the online vendor from whom you are purchasing the stone also sells settings (I presume none you like?), you can usually send the setting to them and have them set the stone. Most online vendors will not set a stone purchased elsewhere into their settings, but those who sell the stone may accept settings from elsewhere and set them. If that makes sense.

 

[Regular Guy]

Milton's saying some true things, and some things in some dispute...but none of them really are easy.

Easy is finding one vendor to do the whole enchilada.

In contrast...

Date: 11/11/2007 11:57:03 PM
Author: milton333
A local jeweler, particularly one that does custom jewelry design, can set a stone in a setting for you. A fee will apply, usually depending upon the carat weight or points of the stone. Be aware, though, that many will require you to have proof of insurance on the stone before they'll set it (and you may want to do that to protect yourself). Setting stones into settings purchased elsewhere is kind of a low priority for most jewelers, so if you don't have a jeweler with whom you've done business before, you may find some resistance, or that there is a lengthy delay.

Not easy #1. Some setters will assume the risk and not talk to you about insurance (actually...I don't know that they really will talk to you about insurance at all), but not sure how many...based on their fee, relative to the risk, plus, the possible cost to them if a mistake...never mind...

a) the basis for determining if a mistake was made, or
b) how you would get insurance anyway (though, through JM, purportedly, there is a way...search threads, or under my signature)

Alternately...others simply won't assume the risk, and tell you so...or don't tell you, but it's the case. In this case, I'd recommend you do pursue insurance.

and then there's #2...

The stone is the most valuable part of the package. If the online vendor from whom you are purchasing the stone also sells settings (I presume none you like?), you can usually send the setting to them and have them set the stone. Most online vendors will not set a stone purchased elsewhere into their settings, but those who sell the stone may accept settings from elsewhere and set them. If that makes sense.

If you've gone and purchased the setting already, the logic is in place to do what Milton suggests. Otherwise, as Denver appraiser routinely suggests here, it might be routinely better to ask the holder of the setting to review the diamond with you, and determine if they should take the job...cause you want to be sure the fit is right...and since the setting is from them...ostensibly...despite the higher typical cost of the diamond...this is on them.

But...that may be extra hyper...and providing the setting to the person who sold you the diamond is maybe more than reasonable...and maybe also...accepted practice.

But...all of the above is premised on you having some kind of concern, I think, that there may be some problem with the setting process, anyway. Most say there's not much to it. So...this may be all too much to say over a small likelihood of there being a problem. Frequently, however, people come here who are hyper about such things. We can give you something to get hyper about. If you're not there already.

Regards,

 

[mrssalvo]

if you are buying a designer setting, I''d have the vendor you are buying the stone from send it to the vendor you are buy the setting from who should send it to the designer to set. we have seen over and over again designer settings get messed up with local benchman try to set the stones in them. also, it will more than likely void the warrenty from the designer. If it''s not a designer setting, I''d have the setting send to the place I bought the stone from and let them set it.

 

[denverappraiser]

There are 5 components to the typical engagement ring deal. The diamond, the setting, the assembly labor, the appraisal and the insurance. Lots of jewelers offer all 5 as sort of a one-stop-shopping sort of experience and there’s something to be said for that although there are some good reasons to split them up. This division has been discussed extensively in the forum and I won’t go into it here.

In the ideal, the first 3 should come from the same source. This completely avoids any fingerpointing about who is responsible in the case of difficulties. What difficulties? If the stone is damaged during the setting process, it comes out sometime later, the ring snags and destroys your clothing or the ‘look’ of the piece is different from what you expected/wanted.

If you buy the diamond and mounting from the same place it's usually pretty easy to arrange to get them to do the assembly but if those two come from different sources it’s a more difficult decision and you get a variety of opinions as to who to use. A fair number of jewelers will refuse the job if you don’t buy either the diamond or the mounting from them and a few will require that you do both. This has to do with the liability associated with, and the perceived value of, setting services. Put bluntly, they just don’t think they can charge enough to feel like it’s worth the trouble and risks if all they get out of the deal is a setting fee. Don’t be surprised if the setters who agree aren’t the cheapest and this strikes me as a bad place to save a few bucks but make sure to discuss the liability issue with them. It’s an important part of the deal. My preference is to use the setting supplier if they will accept the risks but I offer that suggestion with a bit of trepidation because skill at setting is more difficult that most people seem to think and just because they can offer an attractive looking deal on a ring doesn’t mean that they have capable setters. This is difficult to assess and doubly so if you don’t have an opportunity to see the setters work beforehand. This issue should be part of the decision of where you buy the mounting and I would be very nervous about a long distance supplier where all you know is that they sell inexpensive settings. If you’ve got a setter who will accept the job and assume the risks and who you have some reason to believe is capable, use ‘em.

Check also about warranties and returns. If you have the diamond from a dealer who allows you an inspection period it is typical that your return privilege is voided if you have the stone set so make your decision about keeping or returning the stone first. Similarly, some of the mounting manufacturers have warranties and these will almost always require that the stone be set by them or someone authorized by them.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver